Robe plans at critical stage

PLANS by Robe River Iron Associates to boost production to fifty million tonnes per annum have reached a crucial stage.

The outcome of its expansion plans hinge on negotiations

currently underway over development of its West Angelas project, located about 100 kilometres west of Newman and 300km south east of Cape Lambert.

The resources of the proposed new mine at West Angelas and Angelo River total more than one billion tonnes, with reserves in the two largest deposits, A and B, totalling 440 million tonnes.

Deposit A alone will support the first ten years of mining.

Robe reports that West Angelas has become an important focus for the marketing team which is endeavouring to secure sufficient letters of intent to underwrite the project.

The team is now discussing, with current and potential

customers, the merits of the project and the significance of the

commencement of such a project for the long term benefit of the iron and steel industry.

It reports that the response to discussions and presentations has been positive, and an announcement is awaited on the future of the project.

Robe’s newly appointed executive director Bryan Oliver said the company had reached an exciting stage in its history.

“We are progressing toward decisions by the joint venture

participants on matters which will significantly affect Robe, particularly the West Angelas project,

and further development of the facilities at Cape Lambert,” he said.

The Robe report says, with the goal of making the company a 50mtpa producer in the future, the continued technical and commercial promotion of the West Angelas project by the marketing team would be crucial over the next six months.